Planning Advisory Commission
The Olmsted County Planning Advisory Commission (PAC) serves as a vital advisory body to the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners. Its primary role is to provide informed recommendations on matters related to land use, zoning, transportation, public improvements, and land development throughout the county.
Regular meetings are scheduled monthly and are open to the public, providing a forum for community input and equitable decision-making. In the event a development application is not submitted to the planning department in any given month, the regularly scheduled meeting may be cancelled. Please check the county's meeting portal for the most up-to-date meeting schedule.
About the Planning Advisory Commission
The PAC helps guide how land in our county is used and developed. The commission reviews certain applications from property owners, developers, and community members to make sure projects are well-planned, protect our natural resources, and align with Olmsted County’s long-term vision for growth.
The PAC typically does not make final decisions (except in the case of floodplain and shoreland development permits)— instead, it reviews applications and makes recommendations to the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners.
Composed of seven residents appointed by the county board, the PAC reflects a diverse cross-section of the community, with members selected from various geographic areas to ensure broad representation. At least two members must reside outside municipal boundaries, and members may also serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The Planning Advisory Commission looks at several types of land use and development applications, including:
- Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) – Requests for land uses that may be allowed in a zoning district if certain conditions are met to protect neighbors and the community.
- Floodplain and Shoreland Development Permits – Proposals to build or make changes on land near rivers, lakes, or flood-prone areas, reviewed to protect people, property, and water quality. The PAC is the final decision-making body for these applications.
- Plats and Subdivisions – Plans to divide land into smaller lots for homes, businesses, or other uses, ensuring proper roads, utilities, and access are in place.
- Zone Change Requests – Requests to change a property’s zoning classification to allow different types of uses.
- Land Use Plan Amendments (LUPAs) – Updates to the County’s long-term growth plan when a proposed project does not match the existing plan.
- General Development Plans – Large-scale or phased development proposals reviewed to make sure they are thoughtfully designed and supported by needed infrastructure.
- Text Amendments and Ordinance Changes – Changes to the rules and regulations (zoning or subdivision ordinances) that guide how land can be used and developed in Olmsted County.
For additional information, please contact the Olmsted County Planning department at 507-328-7100 or by email planningweb@olmstedcounty.gov.
Meeting Dates and Deadlines
Regularly scheduled meetings are held at 7 p.m. at 2122 Campus Drive SE in Conference Room A.
July and December meetings will occur outside of normal schedule due to scheduling conflicts.
| Meeting date | Deadline to apply |
|---|---|
|
Thursday, January 8, 2026 Thursday, February 5, 2026 Thursday, March 5, 2026 Thursday, April 2, 2026 Thursday, May 7, 2026 Thursday, June 4, 2026 Thursday, July 2, 2026 Thursday, August 6, 2026 Thursday, September 3, 2026 Thursday, October 1, 2026 Thursday, November 5, 2026 Thursday, December 3, 2026 |
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Wednesday, July 8, 2026 Wednesday, August 5, 2026 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Wednesday, November 4, 2026 |
Commission members
In 2025, Olmsted County made the decision to utilize one group of seven volunteers to serve as both Planning Advisory Commission members and Zoning Board of Adjustment members. The intent is to address recruitment challenges and enhance volunteer experience, consolidating all land use functions into one set of volunteers operating two volunteer boards, with a shared annual calendar and updated bylaws for each board.
The commission shall consist of seven members, appointed by the County Board of Commissioners, who are eligible voters residing within the limits of Olmsted County. At least two members of the board shall be township residents of Olmsted County.
OLMSTED COUNTY PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION BYLAWS
ARTICLE I – IDENTITY
Section 1.1 Name
This organization shall be known as the Olmsted County Planning Advisory Commission.
ARTICLE II – AUTHORITY
Section 2.1 Legal Authority
The authorization for the establishment of this Planning Advisory Commission is set forth under Minnesota Statute 394.30, as amended from time to time.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 3.1 Number of Members
The Commission shall consist of 7 members, appointed by the County Board, who are eligible voters residing within the limits of Olmsted County. At least two members of the Commission shall be residents of the portion of the County outside the corporate limits of municipalities. In addition, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners may appoint one member of its Board to serve as a non-voting member of the Planning Advisory Commission. The County Board will strive to provide diversity in its appointment of Commission members.
Members of the Olmsted County Planning Advisory Commission shall also be appointed to serve as members of the Olmsted County Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Section 3.2 Prohibition on Service by County Employees
Current County employees are prohibited from serving on the Commission to avoid potential conflicts of interest, though employees who have retired are eligible to be appointed and serve one year after their date of retirement.
Section 3.3 Prohibition on Service by Developers
No voting member of the Commission shall have received, during the two years prior to appointment, any substantial portion of income from business operations involving the development of land within the County.
Section 3.4 Prohibition on Service by County Contractors
Employees or members of organizations with whom the County is currently under contract to provide mandated services are prohibited from serving on the Commission to avoid potential conflicts of interest only if:
a. these individuals provide mandated services to the County through their work for a county contractor and
b. in their service as a Commission member, they would oversee or directly influence the services to be provided by the contractor to the County.
Section 3.5 Service by Minors
The County Board may, at its option, choose to permit minors to serve as ex officio members of the Commission, provided a majority of the Board members are satisfied that a prospective member who is a minor is of sufficient maturity to properly understand and participate in the proceedings of the Commission. All minors who wish to serve as a Commission member shall complete an application and include at least one letter of recommendation from an adult who knows the minor well for consideration by the Board. Minors who meet these criteria must apply using the application from through the Youth Commission and be approved by a Deputy County Administrator. No more than 2 minors may serve on the Commission at any time, and they shall serve as ex-officio members of the Commission.
Section 3.6 Term of Service
Members shall be appointed for three years, except for the County Board Member, whose term shall be for only one year. Members may be appointed to not more than two (2) consecutive 3-year terms. Members whose terms have expired may continue to serve as members of the Planning Advisory Commission until their replacements have been appointed and qualified.
Section 3.7. Member Attendance
Commission members shall regularly attend Commission meetings, and any other Commission member assigned duties. Commission members shall be permitted two unexcused absences for each year of Commission service. Excused absences include, but are not limited to, absences for activities such as illnesses, serious personal injuries, vacations, jury duty, voting, school activities and family emergencies. If a Commission member incurs three unexcused absences within one year, this matter shall be referred to the Deputy County Administrator with oversight for the Planning Department on behalf of the Commission for further action pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 3.10g below.
Section 3.8 Compensation for Member Duties
Commission members shall be paid per diem compensation as determined by resolution of the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners for their attendance at Commission meetings and for
any other Commission member duties as assigned. County elected officials who are assigned to serve on the Commission shall not receive per diem compensation for Commission duties
Section 3.9 Conflicts of Interest
Each Commission member shall complete a Conflict-of-Interest Statement prior to serving as a Commission member to inform the County about potential conflicts of interest. Each Commission member shall update the Conflict-of-Interest Statement annually thereafter while service on the Commission continues. No Commission member shall participate in any proceedings before the Commission if the member has a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest occurs when:
a. the Commission member has a property interest in or directly receives financial compensation from a sale, lease, or contract which is related to a matter that comes before the Commission for action or approval.
b. a matter requiring Commission action comes before the Commission where the Commission member is related by blood or marriage or is a close friend or associate to persons presenting the matter and the Commission member feels that because of a close personal relationship with the presenter, the Commission member cannot be fair and impartial when considering how to vote on the matter requiring Commission action.
If information is received that a member of the Commission has a conflict of interest on a matter which comes before the Commission for action or approval and that member does not recuse himself/herself from participation, the Commission Chair shall intervene and shall preclude the member from participating in discussions or voting pertaining to that matter. If a member is found to repeatedly participate in matters coming before the Commission for action or approval where a conflict of interest exists, this matter shall be referred to the Commission Chair for further action pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 3.10g below.
Section 3.10 Commission Member Conduct
a. It is critically important that members of the public who have business before the Commission feel confident that the Commission will treat them fairly and impartially without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, disability, public assistance, age, sexual orientation or local human rights commission activity. By choosing to serve as a Commission member, members shall refrain from engaging in speech or conduct that will reasonably tend to make members of the public with business before the Commission feel the Commission will not treat them fairly and impartially without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, disability, public assistance, age, sexual orientation or local human rights commission activity.
b. Commission members shall also comply with the County policies pertaining to their Commission service:
a. Accepting Donations
b. Conflict of Interest Legal and Ethical Practices
c. Diversity and Inclusion Policy
d. Gifts - Gratuities
e. Political Activity (during Board/Commission service times)
f. Solicitation on Premises (during Board/Commission service times)
g. Tobacco Free Grounds (during Board/Commission service times)
h. Weapons in the Workplace (during Board/Commission service times)
i. Animals in the Workplace (during Board/Commission service times)
c. Commission members are also prohibited from representing to others that they speak on behalf of the entire Commission, or the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners, unless the Commission has authorized the member to do so, though members may continue to speak in their role as an individual member serving on the Commission.
d. If a Commission member is convicted of a criminal offense which directly relates to the administration of laws or ordinances by a County Department which come before the Board/Commission for action, this shall be grounds for removal of the Board/Commission member pursuant to the procedure outlined in Section e below. Examples of this would include a Planning Advisory Commission member being convicted for violating the County’s Zoning, Water Well and Water Supply, Septic System or Wetland Conservation Ordinances. A person once removed shall be eligible to be reappointed to the Commission however after the passage of 5 years or proof of rehabilitation from the conviction, whichever occurs first.
e. Ex parte communications between members of the Commission and members of the public who have business pending before the Commission for official action concerning that matter is discouraged in order to ensure that all nonpublic information pertinent to Commission matters is produced in an open meeting to which all of the Commission members and the public have access.
f. Commission members are discouraged from publicly stating their positions in advance on matters of official business coming before the Commission because of the perception by the public that they no longer retain an open mind to listen to all sides of matters of official business. If Commission members do state their positions in advance, they will be precluded from participating when the matter of official business is brought up for discussion and a vote by the Commission.
g. The Commission Chair and Vice Chair shall investigate the allegations brought against a Commission member with the assistance of County staff and the County Attorney’s Office as needed. The Commission member shall be given an opportunity to present information relevant to the allegations. If the Commission Chair and Vice Chair determine a Commission member has engaged in speech or conduct which violates this standard, the Commission Chair shall notify the Deputy County Administrator with oversight for the Planning Department of the pertinent facts which support its conclusions and a recommendation concerning disciplinary action. If the allegations are proven by a preponderance of the evidence to the Deputy County Administrator, the Commission may, depending on the facts which are proven, choose to 1) censure the member privately, 2) issue a public censure of the member and establish a probationary period for further disciplinary action if violations continue, or 3) may ask the County Board to remove the member from the Commission and appoint a suitable replacement member. Members shall be subject to removal, for cause, upon a 4/7 vote by the County Board, after notice and opportunity for hearing before the Board.
Section 3.10 Commission Vacancies
It shall be the duty of the Planning Department staff to notify County Administration of any vacancy in membership. The County Board shall appoint an individual to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. However, commission members wishing to serve a second term shall verbally express their interest to the Planning staff supporting the Commission and Deputy County Administrator with oversight for the Planning Department and, with their approval, may continue to serve a second term without re-application.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
Section 4.1. Commission Officers
The officers shall consist of a Chair and Vice-Chair. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be elected by the Commission from among its members.
Section 4.2. Duties of the Chair
The Chair shall preside at all meetings and hearings of the Commission and shall have the duties normally conferred by parliamentary usage on such officers.
Section 4.3 Duties of the Vice-Chair
The Vice-Chair shall act for the Chair in their absence.
Section 4.4 Duties of Planning Staff
The County Planning staff will act as Secretary for the Commission, keep the minutes and records of the Commission; attend to the correspondence of the Commission, and carry out all public notice requirements.
ARTICLE V – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 5.1. Annual Meeting
An annual organizational meeting shall be held at the first regular meeting occurring after the appointment of new Commission members.
Section 5.2. Officer Nominations
Nominations shall be made from the floor at the annual organizational meeting and election of the officers specified in Section 4.1 shall follow immediately thereafter.
Section 5.3. Officer Terms
A candidate receiving a majority vote of the entire membership of the Planning Advisory Commission shall be declared elected. New officers shall take office immediately upon election. and shall serve for one year or until their successor shall take office.
Officers may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms in any one office. Vacancies in office shall be filled immediately by regular election procedure.
ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
Section 6.1 Regular Meetings
At the annual meeting, the Commission will adopt its meeting calendar for the year. The calendar will be drafted by Olmsted County Planning staff and shall include at least one scheduled meeting per month.
Regular meetings of the Planning Advisory Commission will follow any regularly scheduled meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Section 6.2. Notice of Meetings
Notice in writing of any meeting shall be sent to all Commission Members at least 5 calendar days in advance of the meeting and shall state the time, place and purpose of such meeting.
Section 6.3 Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Chair or at the request of at least 3 members of the Commission or by the Director of the Planning Department or his/her designee. Planning Department staff shall notify all members of the Commission by any means not less than three calendar days in advance of such special meeting. However, for special meetings which include one or more public hearings, Planning staff shall notify members of the Commission at least 10 calendar days in advance of the special meeting consistent with the requirements of Minn. Stat. Section 394.26.
Section 6.4 Open Meeting Law Requirements
Meetings shall be subject to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, Minn. Stat. Chapter 13D, as may be amended from time to time.
ARTICLE VII – MEETING PROCEDURES
Section 7.1 Robert’s Rules of Order
Unless otherwise specifically designated, Robert’s Rules of Order, as most recently revised, shall govern meeting procedure, insofar as possible.
Section 7.2. Quorum Requirements
A quorum shall consist of 4 members. A minimum of 4 votes in the affirmative shall be required to approve a request. If a member recuses himself/herself from discussion and voting on an application pending before the Commission due to a conflict of interest, the member is still considered to be present for purposes of a quorum.
Section 7.3 Voting Requirements
a. All voting members shall have the right to vote on matters which come before the Commission for action.
b. All voting shall be by voice or by a show of hands and the result of the voice or hand vote shall be kept as part of the minutes.
c. A motion from the floor must be made and passed in order to dispense with any item on the agenda.
d. No binding or final action may be taken on any matter not on the written agenda except by a unanimous vote of the members in attendance.
e. A motion to postpone has the effect of laying the matter over until the next regular meeting unless otherwise specified.
f. The Commission may temporarily suspend its rules by a five-sevenths (5/7) vote of the voting members in attendance.
g. Any matter before the Commission that does not receive four affirmative votes shall be denied, or where applicable, forwarded to the Board of Commissioners with a denial recommendation.
Section 7.4 Meeting Adjournment
All meetings of the Commission will adjourn no later than 11:00 p.m. If there is still business to be discussed the Commission will set a time and date for continuance of the meeting.
ARTICLE VIII – HEARINGS
Section 8.1 Public Hearings
In addition to those required by law, the Commission may hold public hearings when it decides that such hearings will be in the public interest.
Section 8.2. Notice of Hearings
Notice of the time, place and purpose of such hearing shall be published in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the territorial jurisdiction of the Commission at least 10 calendar days prior to the hearing.
Section 8.3. Public Hearing Procedures
Procedures for the public hearing shall be as follows:
a. The Chair shall announce the commencement of the public hearing.
b. At the conclusion of the testimony on an application, the Chair shall ask the Commissioners for a motion to close the public hearing, and/or ask for a motion of recommendation of the public hearing item.
Section 8.4. Public Hearing Record
A record shall be kept of those speaking before the Commission at such hearings.
Section 8.5. Hearing Rules
The Commission may adopt rules for the orderly conduct of hearings.
ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS
Section 9.1 Amendment of Bylaws
Amendments to these Bylaws may be provisionally approved by a two-thirds vote of Commission members, provided that any such proposed amendment shall first have been delivered to each Commission member at least 5 calendar days prior to the meeting at which such amendment is considered and is in accordance with the enabling resolution adopted by the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners. However, the proposed amendments shall not become final and binding until they have been approved by a majority vote of the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners following approval by the Commission.
Approval
OC-PAC Approval: County Board Approval:
- Paige Collins
- Josh Koestler
- Wade Dugstad
- Tony Joseph
- Brady Strickland
- Rajani Sohni
- VACANCY
If you are interested in serving on this board, please contact Olmsted County Administration at 507-328-6001.
What is a development application?
A land development application is a detailed proposal to build or redevelop property. These applications are reviewed to make sure projects:
- Fit with County plans and zoning rules – so new development complements existing neighborhoods and future growth plans.
- Have proper services and infrastructure – such as safe roads, sewer and water connections, and utilities.
- Protect the environment – by managing stormwater, avoiding flood risks, and preserving natural features when possible.
- Provide a good layout – showing how buildings, parking, landscaping, and access will work together on the site.
In short, a land development application explains what someone wants to build, how it will look, and how it will impact the surrounding area. The PAC reviews these applications to ensure growth in Olmsted County is responsible, safe, and consistent with our community’s vision for the future.
Olmsted County Development Processes
Consult planner about the request. A pre-application meeting is required.
Submit preliminary application - Eyota Township only, see Eyota Township handout
Submit application packet as follows (see meeting dates and deadlines above)
- Letter of Township Board Action
- form provided to you by the planner during pre-application meeting
- Applicant fills out top of form, contact township clerk prior to attending township meeting, and attend township meeting to get it signed
- Township Board will fill in comments and sign
- The completed form is submitted with the
Olmsted County Land Development Application Form
- Land development application
- Application fee
Application materials are sent out for comments by referral agencies.
Planner reviews application and writes staff report.
Public Hearing notices sent to neighboring properties and published in the local newspaper.
Staff report posted to website (about a week before the meeting).
Public Hearing with Olmsted County Planning Advisory Commission (PAC).
Staff presents staff report and findings
Public hearing is opened by commission
Applicant and/or consultant should speak during this time
Chair will ask for comments from the public prior to closing public hearing
PAC is decision-making board for most requests
Staff will receive copy of signed resolution, staff will record resolution. Applications that may succeed a variance:
- Building permit
- Erosion Control/Runoff Plan
To schedule a pre-development meeting to discuss your property or potential project, please email your property and project information to planningweb@olmstedcounty.gov or call 507-328-7100